La Grande teen killed in crash near Elgin

By Garrett Christensen on Monday, May 18th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

ELGIN — (Press release from Oregon State Police) On Friday, May 15, 2026, at 12:31 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 82 near milepost 24 in Union County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a green Toyota Highlander, operated by a 17-year-old male from La Grande, was traveling westbound on the eastbound shoulder of Highway 82 near Elgin for unknown reasons. The vehicle left the highway and rolled multiple times before the operator was ejected from the vehicle.

The operator and lone occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver is not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The highway was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Elgin Quick Response, La Grande Fire and Rescue, Life Flight, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.